Special benefits are the EI programs aimed at workers who take time off work due to specific life events:
- Maternity benefits, which are available to birth mothers only and cover the period surrounding the child’s birth up to a maximum of 15 weeks.
- Parental benefits, which are available to biological or adoptive parents while they are caring for newborn or newly adopted children – these benefits may be taken by either parent or share.
- Standard parental benefits: can be paid for a maximum of 35 weeks at a weekly benefit rate of 55% of the claimant’s earnings.
- Extended parental benefits: can be paid for a maximum of 61 weeks at a weekly benefit rate of 33% of the claimant’s earnings.
- Sickness benefits, which may be paid to a person who is unable to work because of illness, injury or quarantine (maximum of 15 weeks).
- Compassionate care benefits, which may be paid to a person who has to be away from work temporarily to provide care or support to a family member (or someone who is considered to be like family) who is gravely ill with a significant risk of death (maximum of 26 weeks).
- Family caregiver benefits, which are available to a family member (or someone who is considered to be like family) who must be away from work to care or support for critically ill or injured family member.
- Family caregiver benefits for those who have children under the age of 18 years old can be paid for a maximum of 35 weeks.
- Family caregiver benefits for a sick or ill adult can be paid for a maximum of 15 weeks.
Note: Self-employed Quebec residents are already covered for maternity and parental benefits through the mandatory Quebec Parental Insurance Program (QPIP) for the Self-Employed, but can choose to participate in the federal program to become eligible for additional sickness, compassionate care, and family caregiver benefits.